32 questions to ask when in a marital affair

Here are 32 questions they may want to consider when involved in a marital affair.

By Linda

When Doug was going through his emotional affair, it was pretty safe to say that he wasn’t thinking logically.  I often wonder how things may have been different if he had been. 

I was thinking about this the other day and came up with some questions (I counted 32 of them) the cheating spouse may want to consider when involved in a marital affair. 

If you are the betrayed spouse, these questions  may also be a good starting point for conversation concerning the affair.

Do you really know the person you are involved with?  I’m sure that you feel you know this person better than you know yourself, but you also need to consider that you are only seeing this person in a limited environment. It is easy to base your assumptions on this setting, however you also need to look at the bigger picture.  You need to look at the OP’s relationships with the other people in their life.  Listen to what they say about these relationships. 

Featured Download: “The Top 10 Reasons to Leave Your Affair Partner Now”

If you’re the unfaithful, get it, read it and carefully consider the advice. If you’re the betrayed, give it to your unfaithful spouse.

Is their behavior with those people consistent with the behavior you see from your affair partner? If you are seeing a positive, easy going person, are their relationships with their family and friends the same, or are they more critical? 

See also  How to Tolerate Less After the Affair

Is there conflict?  Begin to listen to what your affair partner is telling you and try to base your perceptive not only on how they are treating you but how they treat other people.

Does your affair partner bring out the best in you? Does having the affair partner in your life make you a better person? 

Are you being a person who stands by their commitments to their family, work and life, or are you being selfish and only thinking about your own needs?  Are you neglecting and removing yourself from your obligations? 

When you look in the mirror do you like who you see?

Does you affair partner have your best interests in mind?  A perfect example of this was during my brother’s marital affair. One of the most important things in my brother’s life is his children.  His affair partner discouraged him to contact them and even sabotaged his relationship with them by saying things that turned my brother against them. If she really cared about him, rather than her own insecurities, she would have encouraged him to be close to his children and nurture his bond with them.

Do you trust your affair partner? Has this a person been completely honest with you? Does this person have integrity and believe in commitment? Does this person respect the boundaries of a relationship and is loyal to the people they are committed to?

How to End an Affair – The Right Way

Are you knowledgeable about the difference between infatuation and mature love? Have you read books, websites, and other resources that discuss the chemical reactions that exemplifies what is feels like to be infatuated compared to mature love?  Do you understand that infatuation has a very short shelf life and is often called “blind love?”  Are you sure you are not in this stage and are confused as to what it feels like to be in mature love?

See also  Save Your Marriage Tip – Admit When You Are Wrong

Is your affair partner secure and confident enough to handle all the baggage and history you bring with you from your marriage? Are they able to handle being a part of a bigger family that includes your children, your ex-spouse, friends, etc.?  You may leave your marriage, but these people will always be part of your life.

Do you have enough in common to sustain a relationship?  I know in the beginning you focus on the few things you do have in common and try to put aside the differences.  You need to ask yourself if those commonalities are a passion for both of you. Is this something you want to spend your evenings and weekends doing?  Will the differences outweigh the similarities?

Are there other reasons why you are involved in a marital affair?  Is there something missing in your life that could cause you to fill this void with another person?  Are you only using this person as a diversion rather than focusing on the real problems that exist in your life and your relationships?

Do you want to be with this person because of the way they make you feel?  Are they feeding your ego?  Do you feel wanted and needed?  If your spouse makes you feel this way would you want to be with them?  Are you in love with the feeling rather than the person?  What would happen if this person didn’t make you feel this way, would you still have those in love feelings for them?

There you have it.  I hope that you can take some time to ask yourself – or your spouse – these questions (maybe not all at once!) which should help you uncover a ton of information about the marital affair, as well as about the person(s) involved. 

See also  Infidelity Recovery – Consequences of Punishing the Cheater

By the way, at one point or another I have asked everyone of these questions of Doug – probably more than once!

Featured Download: “The Top 10 Reasons to Leave Your Affair Partner Now”

If you’re the unfaithful, get it, read it and carefully consider the advice. If you’re the betrayed, give it to your unfaithful spouse.

 

    5 replies to "32 Questions to Ask Yourself if You Are in a Marital Affair"

    • Jane

      Great questions. I am 9 months out of my affair now and can certainly see that if I were living in reality back then and had these questions in front of me, I may have gotten out sooner.

      • Michael

        Jane,
        My wife had an affair and has struggled with her guilt, fear, shame, for a while now. she told me about her affair with, what I can only imagine was, hopes that I would let her go. But I couldn’t and didn’t let her just leave. After talking to him myself, I knew he wasn’t as wonderful and caring as she said. And I showed her what he said.
        After that and into a couple of couples consoling sessions she secretly broke her promise of NC and continued to speak to him.
        I know there is more to my wifes story, but she is filled with guilt, shame, fear still and I’m not sure what I can do to help her. Should I try and fight the urge to ask questions and let her live out her life with all these feeling and secrets. What advise would you have for your husband?

      • Doug

        Jane, that is a great comment, I am sure so many of us would love to be in your head and try to understand the thinking process during an affair. I understand the attraction, and wanting someone who makes you feel special, cared for, etc. Its not that we don’t have those things in our marriage, but not with that intensity and also without all the past resentments, disappointments and failures. was it like having a fresh start, a clean slate? Like moving to a city where no one knows your shortcomings, they just see the person you want them to see? What is it that makes it so addicting? Linda

    • Toni

      I don’t know how to feel. I want to ask my H that’s questions but will he tell me the truth? I just found out via email (H had no idea I received the email) that he bought the OW a cell phone and put her on our plan. And yet he tells me he thinks there’s hope and we are even going on a weekend trip. It’s like he makes progression with both of us. I think he’s also helping her with her car payment and rent. I feel paralyzed and not sure what to think anymore. Should I believe him? It’s been 3 months since D-day. There are times when I feel like he wants to come back but something holds him back (I feel it’s the financial obligation he’s put himself in) then at times I feel like he thinks we’re done. How long do I hang on?

    • Donna Watson

      well I wrote my husband a letter the other day and in that letter I asked all of those questions. Not for him to answer right then and there, for him to really think about them.

      Well he told me lastnight that there is nop question that I can ask him that he has not already thought himself. He said that he fought against his feelings for OW for a long time before he revealed them to her and vice versa.

      He said that the feelings for her are not wrong, under the circumstances, yes they are wrong, however the love he has for her is not. He said that he will think about her every day and that I will have to just deal with that fact if I want our marriage to work and the fact that he will always love her. He did say that in time that will change, but it could be years and years before that happens.

      He did say to me that he does love me, just not the way he should. He said that he is happy when he is with OW in comparison to the pain he feels when he is here with his family. He said the pain goes when he is with her… I struggle with this as how can you be that happy when you are with the person who helped to create all the hurt of everyone else? as well as not be with your 4 children and wife. I just don’t get it!

      He did say that if he left me, it would not be for the OW, it would be because of me and my actions and that we just were not working. How do I get past this and start really looking after myself and stop worrying about him. He is out of the home again, so I guess he will come around every so often.

      He and OW have finally stopped contact as of 1 week ago, so it will be interesting to see how that all goes.

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